Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-06-04
To the Honorable Board OF Mayor and
Aldermen Of the City Of Clarksville.


| GENTLEMEN. A communication appeared
in the GAINESVILLE CHRONICLE OF May 2sth,
addressed to the public and to your Honor
able body which bears so palpably upon It's
face desire to prejudice the public mind
against increasing the school accommoda-
lions of the Howell building and ia such a
collection OF garDled extracts from the record
besides being 80 erroneous In It's statements
that we the Undersigned members OF the
Clarksvile Board of Education deem II
worthy of notice and reflection.
This correspondent advocates the separa-
| ton OF the 18th District from the city proper
as an economic move-claiming that by So
doing the expenses OF conducting the Public
Schools Will be reduced at least S55O00 per
annum.
In the first place the city and 18th District
are so closely identified In every interest
financially, commercially and educationally
that like the late Siamese twins q separation
means death TO both parties.
Should the admission of the IL District be
discontinued the burden of buildidg addi-
tional schools for the 18th District would
devolve upon the people of GAINESVILLE which
already does and for years past has paid the
largest proportion of the tax for county pur-
poses.
Such separation would necessltate the
building Of three new school houses in the
District, viz: One In the North East portion
of the district, one in the South and ono in
the South East. 1t would also require an adj
dltlonal expense for teachers.
When such an occasion arises, skilled me-
chanics which cannot afford to buy property
within the city limits, that they may be
enabled to send their children TO a graded
school will remove to other cities where these
advantages may be obtained.
What we want In Clarksvlle is increased
population. The Press crys for 1t, the property
holder insists upon 1t, and one of the creates:
! inducements offered is our boosted education-
al facilities
The population best calculated to build up
city il the mechanic and laborer. Hand.
some churches and elegant residences may
add to the show aud advertise the cultnre
OF place. But churches and edinces veal
no clothes, eat no groceries, patronize no ply
siciens and add nothing to the growth of 6
place. The merchant, the physician, the
banker, the lawyer, depend upon the popula
tion for their daily bread. When we MAKE
a move to drive the bone and sinew from ou
midst we strike blow that cannot be re
tarded even by blooms" of the greatest mag
nitude.
BY a separation from the 18th District you
graded school system will be disorganized
The best results Of the graded system can b,
reached only when your school is iarg
enough TO place full grade In care Of eaci
teacher. You will then be the furtherest re
move from the district school where you will
often md the A, B, O, classes and the Algebr
student occupying tho same desk. No grad
would have pupils sufficient 10 occupy tn
time OF one teacher.
AT the rate OF increase since the erection o
the Howell building, 1t would be eight year
before the school could be In such thorough,
organized form as at present, and we thinl
1t would be impossible for that rate OF In
crease to be maintained but on the othe
hand look for retrogression.
As to the expenses OF the school we appen'
statement herewith marked A showing tn
cost of conducting the schools from the ses
sion OF 1880 to the present year.